BB move up to 2nd position
Nyasa Big Bullets yesterday stepped up their TNM Super League title defence campaign with a thumping 4-1 triumph over Kamuzu Barracks (KB) at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre to create a three-point gap with leaders Blue Eagles.
Eagles were held to a barren draw by Epac FC at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe.
New signing Collen Nkhulambe and Captain Chiukepo Msowoya scored a brace each to propel the People’s Team to second in the 16-team league with 31 points from 17 games.
Nkhulambe (L) celebrates his second goal with Ngwiraprevious
Mafco, who beat Azam Tigers 2-1 yesterday, have the same number of points and games but are third due to an inferior goal difference.
Bullets relied on a makeshift squad that saw their goalkeeper trainer and former Flames international Swadick Sanudi manning the posts in the absence of goalkeepers Chimwemwe Kumkwawa, who is serving a three-match suspension following the recent Carlsberg Cup fracas and Ernest Kakhobwe, who is reportedly ill.
Nkhulambe put Bullets ahead in the 24th minute when he connected home a precise diagonal pass from winger McFarlen Ngwira. Come second half, KB restored parity in the 59th minute after Ben Hojani scored in a goal mouth scramble with his left foot.
Bullets regained the lead 16 minutes later when Msowoya scored from the spot kick after being fouled in the box. It did not take long for Bullets to put the scoreline beyond the visitors’ reach as Nkhulambe added his second and Bullets’ third; he stabbed into the back of the net with a simple touch that sent goalkeeper Lemani Nthala the wrong direction.
In extra time, Msowoya hammered the last nail on KB’s coffin with a beauty; he rounded-off Nthala in a one-on-one situation before shoving it into the left corner.
“We are now back in business. With this kind of victory, I do not see why we should not reclaim the league title,” said Bullets coach Mabvuto Lungu.
KB coach Billy Phambala and team manager Francis Shaba did not grant interviews to the media.
“Just talk to the referee. He will tell you what happened,” Shaba said in reference to their disappointment with the way referee Evidence Kananji handled the match.
In Mzuzu, Moyale Barracks and Mzuzu University (Mzuni) FC played out a one-all draw. Lughindiko Nhlane scored for Mzuni in the 10th minute before Moyale equalised through Stevie Mkandawire in the 32nd minute.—additional reporting by PLEDGE JALI, Staff Reporter
